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The Northern Ohio Military Family Connection Wants You!
How you can help those who fight for our freedom
By Deanna R. Adams • Today’s Family Writer
Pamela Staff is a proud Army wife with three children. But that’s not all. She is also an enthusiastic go-getter who wants to spread the word about the needs of military families.
“When my husband was deployed to Iraq in 2005, I found there were few resources for military families,” says Pamela, who lives with her husband, Mark, and their three children in Reminderville, a little known town between Solon and Twinsburg. “When you live on posts, it’s easier to connect with others who are experiencing many of the same issues, but as civilians, not so much.”
Since her husband’s first deployment, she’s had people ask her what they can do to help, such as giving packages to servicemen who might not be getting any, or how to send them cards, or other ways to help out local vets and their families. The many needs of servicemen and their loved ones, along with civilians wanting to help out, all prompted Pamela to start an organization called the Northern Ohio Military Family Connection.
“Initially, it was just about connecting military families with other military families—especially wives looking for support or wanting to get to know other military wives. And I wanted to be there for them,” Pamela says. “I didn’t feel like I needed a support group, but I did want to talk to, and be around, other similar women. And I wanted to let these women know I’m available 24/7. I know that sounds crazy, but when my husband was in Iraq, he often forgot the time difference and would call in the middle of the night. So I got used to having my phone on all night. Plus, I’m a bit of an insomniac.”
Soon after the idea took root, something happened that had a major impact on Pamela and propelled her to realize her organization had an even greater purpose.
In 2005, she and best friends, Rachel and Pam, whose men were also deployed, became Battle Buddies. “That’s a military term for a buddy system. We all vowed we’d get through that period together,” Pamela says. “My husband’s in the Army, theirs were Marines, but all were in the appointment at the same time. Then Rachel’s fiancé was killed that April, and Pam’s husband was killed two weeks before my husband came home on leave.”
“That was a horrible year,” she adds. “I spent more time going to funerals and learning how to be a Gold Star family (where a member has died in a combat zone) and dealing with it all. We had vowed to keep each other strong and get through it together, but it was so hard. My focus went from being a Blue Star family (where a member is actively serving in the military) to becoming very involved in Gold Star families because suddenly we had all these Gold Star families that needed help similarly, but differently. So that’s how things expanded into what The Northern Ohio Family Connection is all about and how important it is.”
Over the next few years, Pamela sought out and developed a group of volunteers. “I have this core group of volunteers and we have this standing joke that we don’t have a typical organization, like time for meetings, because we’re too busy actually helping people. I’d love to be more organized, with brochures and such, but right now, we’re out there helping however we can. We’ve also had great help from local businesses, such as Discount Drug Mart, and Patterson Fruit Farm, and hope to get more on board.” She adds that businesses can get involved by offering discounts or giving donations of services and/or products to local military families in need.
“There are a number of ways that would make a big difference,” she says. “People willing to cook meals for a family of an injured soldier, or one who just came home. Or giving a make-over to a soldier’s wife. Or maybe send flowers to a sweetheart from a soldier who can’t personally deliver them. Anything that can help make things easier for a serviceman and their families.”
One of the ways Pamela Staff is reaching out for help is through Facebook. “That has helped tremendously. From getting “doggy care” for a vet that needed to go into treatment, to matching out-of-work vets with skills that can help out other military families. We’ve also included a new part of our page called, ‘Spotlight Supporter’ of the week. This is our way of showing off local businesses that offer help and discounts to military families. We can also include a link to their web page and/or Facebook page.”
She says volunteering is one of the best ways a person can help. “There’s so much to be done, and everyone has a skill of some sort. I welcome any offer of help, no matter how crazy or different, or big or small. Just having your skill on our roster for future reference means a lot. Please help me support the local troops!”
If you’d like to help, email Pamela at nomilfamco@gmail.com or go to the Northern Ohio Military Family Connection Facebook page.
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